Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaNovember 1, 2016

Gambling regulators have begun warning the state’s card rooms to change their games. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has started sending form letters to advise card room operators about a final agency order on designated-player games. Last week, the department adopted an administrative law judge’s findings that those games, similar to poker, were “unauthorized” […]

Jim RosicaMay 27, 2016

Despite “nothing about Hamilton Downs (being) real in terms of racetrack standards,” an administrative law judge nonetheless sided with the north Florida horse track, tossing out the state’s complaint that the track ran “flag drop” races contrary to its license. Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early submitted his recommended order on Thursday, dismissing the action by state pari-mutuel regulators. […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The same state agency now calling designated-player card games illegal was calling them “in compliance” with state gambling law as recently as last July, records show. What’s not clear is what caused the about-face. The enforcement is happening at the same time that lawmakers are considering whether to approve a new “compact” with the Seminole Tribe of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

The head of a Jacksonville racetrack and card room says the state was unfairly targeting pari-mutuels for running illegal card games, especially when state regulators oversaw the games being set up. Howard Korman, president of Jacksonville Greyhound Racing, which does business as BestBet, spoke at a Senate Regulated Industries Committee meeting on Wednesday. The Department […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2016

State gambling regulators this week filed complaints against seven racetracks in Florida, saying they’re operating illegal card games, according to documents obtained through a public records request. The pari-mutuels targeted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which regulates gambling, include: Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach, Magic […]

Ryan RayOctober 5, 2015

Hollywood Sen. Eleanor Sobel filed the “Victoria Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act” for the second time in as many years Friday. The bill, whose title honors the animal-loving wife of former Senate president Sen. Don Gaetz, would mandate that greyhound racetrack operators report all injuries to the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation. While many tracks […]

Tag: Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering
Las Vegas Strip transforms into a Grand Prix.

State starts enforcing card game decision

Judge sides with track over ‘flag drop’ races

Emails show state’s about-face on card games enforcement

Racino executive speaks out on card-room controversy

State files gambling complaints against racetracks across Florida

Greyhound injury reporting bill again circulates for 2016 Session